Investor Watch: March 12, 2026

EASTERN EUROPE

In an exclusive contribution, Railsware Co-CEO Sergiy Korolov describes a market that has “shifted from a ‘support ticket’ destination to a primary engine for high-end R&D and, potentially, to a European powerhouse.”

INVESTMENT PROFILE: OKLAHOMA

Stardust Power is just one of the companies in the rare earths arena realizing the advantages of Oklahoma. Managing Director John Riesenberg explains why the state is uniquely positioned to be a first mover in the drive to strengthen the nation’s critical minerals supply chain.

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US Foods’ original groundbreaking in Buda occurred in 2010. Fifteen years later, it’s pursuing a $120 million, 160-job expansion.
Photo courtesy of City of Buda

Jennifer Storm, CEO of the Buda Economic Development Corporation, last month was named 2025 Economic Developer of the Year by the International Economic Development Council. The announcement cited projects in the 145-year-old Texas community from US Foods and Perseus Defense, as well as entrepreneurial initiatives such as the Buda HIVE incubator and THRIVE small business loan program and Buda EDC’s Local Enterprise Assistance Program (LEAP) incentives awarded to more than 50 local businesses to support retention, expansion, workforce upskilling, marketing, reinvestment and downtown revitalization.

“Strong economies are built by leaders like Jennifer Storm who understand that lasting progress requires vision, trust and a deep commitment to the places and people they serve,” said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. “The true champions are the Buda EDC team and board, who work tirelessly to champion commerce and community,” said Storm. “It feels like a dream come true to work every day with this team of true professionals, making an everlasting impact on our community.”

Storm and the US Foods project were part of the January 2025 TexasEDConnection Intelligence Report that informed readers, among other things, that the name of the town southwest of South by Southwest’s home in Austin name is pronounced “Byoo-da,” as in “It’s a Byooda-ful day.” A 2022 Site Selection story noted Buda’s position as an emerging logistics hot spot on I-35 between Austin and San Antonio.

TALENT ATTRACTION

The 2025 Lightcast Talent Attraction Scorecard reveals a distinct migration pattern for workers.

MEGASITES & KPDI

The Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) was created in 2022 to earmark state dollars for local communities to use in preparing shovel-ready sites for development. The math says it’s working.

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Among the 205 organizations named a 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year were Merck & Co., Hines, The Home Depot, Food Lion, Nissan North America, The Boeing Company, JLL, General Motors and BOMA International.
Photo courtesy of The Home Depot

This month the fate of the ENERGY STAR program, long overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE), came into focus when the two federal departments signed a memorandum of agreement establishing the DOE as the program’s lead agency. Two days ago, Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA) saw fit to release a statement from President and COO Mary Lue Peck.

“For over 20 years, BOMA has been a strong supporter of the ENERGY STAR program. Our members use the Portfolio Manager program to benchmark their energy use, using the data to improve their operations, reduce operational costs and comply with local regulations,” she said. “In total, over 330,000 buildings use the Portfolio Manager program, representing nearly 25% of all commercial floor space in the nation. BOMA members across Canada also rely on the program, bringing a level of importance few governmental programs can claim. This is why BOMA used every tool in our Advocacy toolbox in 2025 to encourage Congress to retain and fund the program. Our success in this endeavor is the program’s success.”

Last year the potential elimination of ENERGY STAR prompted Measurabl — the San Diego-based sustainability data platform engaged with more than 1,000 customers representing over 21 billion sq. ft. of real estate and a partner in Site Selection’s annual Sustainability Rankings — to release a free software solution for building owners and operators. While the 10-year MOA provides a level of certainty for companies using the program, Peck continued, there was a factor notably absent.

“While the MOA initiates the transition of management activities, including partnership agreements, trademark(s), IT systems and databases,” she said, “there is no mention of a critical program resource: staff. BOMA encourages the agencies, during the 90-day transition period, to provide employees with critical programmatic experience the option to transfer with the program to ensure its continuity. Finally, while we fully expect the transition to be completed in a professional manner, BOMA will monitor the situation and consult with our members to ensure it is completed with no interruption of service. BOMA looks forward to working with the leadership of the DOE to achieve the goals of the program.” — Adam Bruns

Photo courtesy of UCLA

While researching the latest research park news in the UCLA newsroom, we ran across this striking image that’s a fitting reminder of college basketball excellence as the annual NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments approach on the calendar. A bronze statue of UCLA basketball coach John Wooden was created by renowned sculptor Blair Buswell and unveiled on the north side of the university’s famous Pauley Pavilion in 2012.

The university says Wooden’s vision, dedication and insistence on personal excellence were “close to legendary,” but we’ll go ahead and make the leap to call him a true legend. From 1948 to 1975 as head men’s basketball coach at UCLA he compiled a record of 620-147 and coached teams who earned 10 NCAA national championships. Click here to view a memorable recitation of the coach’s famous “Woodenisms” by the late Bill Walton. Among the more famous:

“A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.”

“Be quick, but don’t hurry.”

“It’s the things you learn after you know it all that count.”